Bridport News
Fri, 16 Oct 2026 02:56:00 +0100Family's new setback after reopening popular pub seven months after devastating fire
Despite facing setbacks along the way, the family-owned pub in Abbotsbury has reopened its doors in time for the owner's 60th year.
Fri, 16 Oct 2026 02:03:00 +0100'He could have died in minutes' - Army cadet performs life-saving first aid
A 16-year-old Army cadet who found herself covered in blood after helping an injured mobility scooter rider has spoken of how her training helped give the casualty "the best chance of survival"
Fri, 16 Oct 2026 05:00:00 +0100Weather forecast for Bridport and Lyme Regis over upcoming weekend
Bridport and Lyme Regis weekend weather: sunny spells 16–14°C, gusty winds up to 26mph. Monday brings cloud, rain risk. Dorset weather forecast updates.
Fri, 16 Oct 2026 00:30:00 +0100Rising energy costs to hit Dorset Council budget hard
RISING fuel and other energy costs will add significantly to Dorset Council’s budget for this year
Fri, 16 Oct 2026 05:00:00 +0100What's on in cinemas in Bridport and other Dorset towns this weekend
This weekend sees the release of an action film based on a video game series and a new film from DreamWorks Animation alongside other films in Dorset cinemas
Thu, 15 Oct 2026 19:40:35 +0100A35 closed due to serious crash
A crash has taken place on the A35 in west Dorset - and police have closed part of the major road
Thu, 15 Oct 2026 00:01:00 +0100Second attempt to convert former A35 tearoom to family home
A second attempt is being made to turn a former tearoom into a home
Thu, 15 Oct 2026 16:37:20 +0100Man arrested after alleged indecent exposure in Bridport town centre
Dorset Police arrest man in Bridport town centre over alleged indecent exposure, assaulting an officer and spitting; he remains in police custody
Thu, 15 Oct 2026 11:20:17 +0100Tributes to much-loved former Echo journalist who has died aged 58
Loving tributes have been paid to popular former Dorset Echo journalist Ruth Meech, who has died suddenly aged 58
Thu, 15 Oct 2026 00:30:00 +0100Council staff struggling to pay fuel costs to get to work, claims union
Dorset care and local government staff say fuel costs are leaving them unable to afford journeys for work
Fri, 16 Oct 2026 00:10:00 +0100Traders criticise 'confusion' over village coast road closure
Abbotsbury businesses say trade dropped dramatically during a two-week road closure, with traders criticising signage, access arrangements and communication
Thu, 15 Oct 2026 15:06:45 +0100Dorset in severe drought after driest period in more than a century
Dorset has entered severe drought status after experiencing the driest April-to-September period for more than 100 years
Wed, 14 Oct 2026 14:30:01 +0100Public garden shuts as historic courthouse sold
A public garden has closed and its benches have been removed following the sale of a historic courthouse.
Mon, 12 Oct 2026 14:00:00 +0100Sadness as young Bridport traders close shop amid retail pressure
South Street Collective in Bridport is closing its doors, with owners citing tough winter conditions, buyers turning to online shopping, and rising costs
Thu, 15 Oct 2026 00:01:00 +0100Lyme Regis could get new café if plans go ahead
Plans to convert 5 Bridge Street in Lyme Regis into a café named 'Maritime Café' have been put forward
Thu, 15 Oct 2026 00:01:00 +0100Holiday homes proposed in latest west Dorset planning applications
PLANS to create new holiday accommodation in and around Bridport are among the latest planning applications submitted to Dorset Council
Thu, 15 Oct 2026 05:00:00 +0100Apple Day events to enjoy across west Dorset this October
Apple season is here and a series of events across West Dorset will celebrate one of autumn’s favourite fruits.
Thu, 15 Oct 2026 12:00:41 +0100Foodie reveals Boots meal deal hack to get £10 food for a fiver
The food influencer and budgeting content creator set out to assemble the most expensive combination available in the store
Wed, 14 Oct 2026 09:25:00 +0100Eyewitness saw explosion and thick black smoke as tent burned beside river
Eyewitness saw explosion and thick black smoke as tent burned beside River Brit
Wed, 14 Oct 2026 15:28:51 +0100Long delays on A35 due to roadworks
Roadworks are causing long delays on the A35at Raymond's Hill near Axminster
Tue, 13 Oct 2026 16:51:19 +0100Thieves target subtropical gardens
Officers are appealing for information from the public as they investigate a theft and criminal damage at a botanical garden in Weymouth
Wed, 14 Oct 2026 11:50:54 +0100Urgent search for missing man
A search is underway to locate a man who was reported missing over the weekend
Wed, 14 Oct 2026 10:45:17 +0100I tried out Dorset's bus services — as millions set to be invested by council
For a couple of weeks, accompanied by my trusty bus pass, I have been out and about on Dorset routes, witnessing touching moments, annoying incidents and others almost too ridiculous to recount.
Wed, 14 Oct 2026 09:48:25 +0100TV legend submits plan for barn at £2m Dorset farm
TV star plans new agricultural barn at £2m luxury Dorset farm
Wed, 14 Oct 2026 00:01:00 +0100Concern pre-school 'could harm character of village' - but supporters say it's needed
A ROW has broken out over proposals for a new site for a pre-school in Dorset
Tue, 13 Oct 2026 00:32:00 +0100Delays expected as week long road closure to come into force
ROADWORKS near Beaminster are expected to cause delays for more than a week while carriageway maintenance works are carried out
Wed, 14 Oct 2026 05:00:00 +0100Review: David Hare’s Via Dolorosa at the Chapel in the Garden
Hazel Morpurgo reviews a sold-out performance of David Hare’s Via Dolorosa at the Chapel in the Garden.
Wed, 14 Oct 2026 05:00:00 +0100Internationally renowned jazz musician and his quartet to perform in West Bay
Internationally renowned jazz performer Alan Barnes and his quartet will perform at Sladers Yard in Bridport on November 7.
Wed, 14 Oct 2026 05:00:00 +0100People with sight loss enjoy confidence-building cooking sessions in Bridport
The Friendly Food Club (FFC) ran its first accessible cooking sessions in Bridport, welcoming Dorset Blind Association (DBA) members from across the area
Tue, 13 Oct 2026 02:59:00 +0100Opening times confirmed for new sandwich shop which will create 10 jobs
Opening times have been confirmed for a new sandwich shop due to open at the end of the year in Bridport
Tue, 13 Oct 2026 05:00:00 +0100Major road works and road closures to affect roads in Beaminster and Lyme Regis
Dorset Council has announced major road works and temporary road closures in Thorncombe, Bradpole, Lyme Regis, and Beaminster
Mon, 12 Oct 2026 18:58:22 +0100Thieves steal jewellery and cash in Lyme Regis burglary
Thieves stole cash and jewellery in a burglary in Lyme Regis, it is reported
Sun, 11 Oct 2026 05:00:00 +0100The Dorset seaside hotel with a dance floor, dark room and coastal views
Now known as The Seaside Boarding House, the Burton Cliff Hotel was in one of two Victorian buildings, Alpha and Beta villas.
Mon, 12 Oct 2026 09:41:08 +0100Gas canister found in tent destroyed by fire
A gas canister was found in a tent destroyed by a fire in Bridport.
Mon, 12 Oct 2026 02:49:00 +0100Community to host first trail races alongside annual village fete
A West Dorset village is set to host its first organised trail running event, with tickets now available for the inaugural Corscombe Trail Races.
Mon, 12 Oct 2026 02:22:00 +0100Solar panel fires reach eight-year high, new figures reveal
Dorset and Wiltshire Fire and Rescue Service attended 12 incidents involving solar photovoltaic (PV) systems in 2025, up from five the previous year and marking the highest annual total since at least 2018.
Wed, 07 Oct 2026 12:00:03 +0100The exact date clocks go back this month in the UK and why
The change means an extra hour in bed for your Sunday lie-in and will give an extra hour of daylight as the darker nights roll in.
Sun, 11 Oct 2026 05:00:00 +0100Rare postcards reveal life in Dorset more than 100 years ago
Rare Charles Humphries postcards reveal life in Charmouth, Axminster and West Dorset before WWI, including Culmstock Otter Hounds and local crowds
Sun, 11 Oct 2026 05:00:00 +0100This peaceful Dorset village walk ends with a well-earned pub stop
This five-mile circular walk from Okeford Fitzpaine features Piddles Wood and ends with a well deserved Dorset village pub stop
Sun, 11 Oct 2026 05:00:00 +0100The Dorset village where kings once hunted and poachers later roamed
The Dorset village of Cranborne was at one time a place where kings hunted and poachers roamed
Sun, 11 Oct 2026 09:41:19 +0100Stunning Northern Lights illuminate Dorset sky
Residents across Dorset were treated to a spectacular sight over the weekend as the Northern Lights illuminated the night sky on both Friday and Saturday evenings.
Sat, 10 Oct 2026 02:31:00 +0100Oldest family business in England celebrates 511th birthday
A butcher in Bridport which is the oldest family business in the country has celebrated another birthday and year of serving the town they love
Sat, 10 Oct 2026 08:02:43 +0100Drivers warned of delays as six-week roadworks set to begin
Drivers are being warned to expect delays on the A37 between Dorchester and Maiden Newton when a six-week programme of roadworks gets underway.
Sat, 10 Oct 2026 03:30:00 +0100Council considers 20p parking rise to raise extra £119,000 in Lyme Regis
Drivers could soon face higher parking charges at three popular seaside car parks under proposals aimed at bringing in more than £119,000 in additional revenue each year.
Sat, 10 Oct 2026 02:19:00 +0100Couple who have raised an astonishing amount for children's hospice are honoured
A Bridport couple who have spent two decades championing Julia’s House Children's Hospice have received a Lifetime Service Award.
Sat, 10 Oct 2026 05:00:00 +0100Viewers are binge-watching this forgotten Martin Clunes thriller in a single night
Martin Clunes stars in A Mother's Son, a gripping two-part ITV crime thriller now streaming on BritBox and Prime Video
Sat, 10 Oct 2026 05:00:00 +0100Two west Dorset food places in running for national ‘Curry Oscars’
The Sundorbon in South Street, Bridport and the Red Panda in Broad Street, Lyme Regis are among the finalists in the 2026 Asian Curry Awards
Sat, 10 Oct 2026 03:16:00 +0100Shoppers raise £1,500 for local charity supporting autistic children
Bridport charity ASCape has received £1,500 from Waitrose Community Matters scheme to support autistic and socially anxious young people with mentoring activities.
Sat, 10 Oct 2026 05:00:00 +0100Bridport students receive new sports equipment thanks to Dorset housebuilder
Students at The Sir John Colfox Academy in Bridport can now access new sports equipment, all purchased with support from David Wilson Redrow South West.
Fri, 09 Oct 2026 14:19:53 +0100Woman 'grabbed' by man in bathrobe on riverside path whilst walking dog
Police are appealing for witnesses after a woman was reportedly approached and grabbed by an unknown man while walking her dog along a riverside footpath in Bridport